To be shocked Ariana Grande is White

[IslandGyal]

I’ve just discovered the new trend of ‘blackfishing’ whereby white celebrities and models try and appear racially ambiguous.

I think it’s more common in the states. However one of the most common examples is Ariana Grande who seems to have almost changed races.

See the picture in this article: medium.com/@abbs664/ariana-grande-blackfishing-d42a8cb726ea

Is anyone else kinda shocked that Grande is a white Italian.

I always assumed she was Latin American or mixed race black. It’s also quite problematic that she appears to tone down her look when it suits by appearing lighter on vogue.

Aibu

I have Quora but my son is in the bath and is rapidly running out of bubbles so I'm short on time.

Here's a link to the unedited pictures:

www.quora.com/Is-Ariana-Grande-blackfishing

A lot of this feels really regressive. Policing racial boundaries and accusing people of being ambiguous or trying to pass as another 'race' has horrible roots.

Btw women have been plumping their lips, exaggerating the curve of their hips and bum etc for centuries but now if white women do it it's cultural appropriation?

Sorry I can't remember who asked me but I've known very olive Brazilians who look very much Portuguese and very dark skinned Brazilians who'd probably be considered black by American standards of classification.

Europeans are extremely varied also. Especially Mediterraneans and conversely you find blondish blue eyed Egyptians in Alexandria. My dad is really dark skinned and people would ask where he's from when he is ancient English peasant stock.

I think the obsession with skin tone and people being non white with white as the norm is a very American perspective. However prejudice towards people of black African descent is of course present in a lot of parts of the world.

No .. she looks white ! 🤷‍♀️

she is the tiniest thing with delicate features , I don't know how you can mix that with being black

You what?

And now someone is referring to people as Caucasian like a 19th century eugenicist.

Why do people who claim widespread white supremacy exists always sound like they are white supremacists?

she is the tiniest thing with delicate features , I don't know how you can mix that with being black

Are all black people giants with gigantic features?

she is the tiniest thing with delicate features , I don't know how you can mix that with being black

WTAF.

@gubbbbbddaaaa

I've just googled her to be sure , she is the tiniest thing with delicate features , I don't know how you can mix that with being black .. even mixed race is unlikely .. of course she has fake tan , everyone who is famous does .

You what now. Thandie Newton, Halle Berry.. off the top of my head may say otherwise

Perhaps America needs to start distinguishing the different ethnic minorities?

Although she’s not black, the American Jewish women would have also been subjected to racism, xenophobia and more just like other ethnic minorities. Do other minorities have these funds etc available to them in order to do the same type of work?

The racist stereotypes rear their ugly heads eventually on these types of threads. Grim @gubbbbbddaaaa

Erm...there are SO MANY full black people...I mean full African people (not mixed race or ambiguous) who are tiny/petite with delicate features... Naming only mixed race people really doesn't help.

People should indeed get out more.

I'm conflicted on this, on the one hand she makes it work in a positive way, clearly influenced by black women, and that white women are embracing black women as role models, and being influenced by them can't be a bad thing. Just like it's okay to be black and want to dye your blonde? Or like the music and style you like, for what it is, ignoring skin colour?

The fact she doesn't correct people gives me pause though, not lying but not strictly truthful either?

*your hair blonde

I mean, that photo you’ve linked is edited to fuck. Give it a google, some more accurate photos of that event can be seen.

@IslandGyal

BAME care because we cannot wash of our skin tone. We don’t get the choice.

I have nothing against Ariana, she was very brave after Manchester.

However blackfishing is quite problematic for many reasons mentioned in the article.

Fully agree with you OP, but sadly MM is not the forum for such 'woke' discussions.

She's Italian decent. Many Italians have quite olive skin.

@Afromeg

Erm...there are SO MANY full black people...I mean full African people (not mixed race or ambiguous) who are tiny/petite with delicate features... Naming only mixed race people really doesn't help.

People should indeed get out more.

Off the top of my head I said, if you're going to start on me I'm happy to write a full list of every fine featured black woman I can think of

My dad is half black and has dark skin. My mum is white and ginger. I came out with brown hair and I am paler than my mum, but I do resemble my dad facially. I burn extremely badly in the summer and my makeup is always in the porcelain tones.
My mum has had many comments over the years that she must've cheated or something.
Most people are shocked when I tell them my heritage.
My hair is very thick and has a slight texture, but other than that, my mum's genetics took over.

Yes, I always thought she was African /American mixed race!

And the list off the top of your head really doesn't help. In fact, it partly confirms what was said seeing as they're mixed. Next time, have a think first.

And what do you mean "fine featured"? Again, think how things come across

@user1471565182

Why are people pretending they have never heard the AAVE accent or noticed black culture at all in the US? is the some of that horseshit 'I DONT SEE COLOUR' schtick?

This. It's very clear particularly in her '7 Rings' video.

I agree that gubbbdaaaas comment sounds offensive. But to be fair it isnt that different to the article overtherainbow quoted refers to "eurocentric features and striking faux dark skin". Except that the article doesnt say what eurocentric features are (because you cant explicitly define them. Unless @OverTheRainbow88 can define what eurocentric/african features are. I know what the Stereotypes are, but they dont always fit the reality.

@gubbbbbddaaaa

I've just googled her to be sure , she is the tiniest thing with delicate features , I don't know how you can mix that with being black .. even mixed race is unlikely .. of course she has fake tan , everyone who is famous does .

WTF?

I don’t see why Ingrid saying fine featured is more offensive than Afromeg saying delicate. They are both referring to a previous poster.